Aug. 20, 2007

VILLANOVA, Pa. - In the recent release of the Soccer Buzz Magazine national and regional preseason polls, the depth of talent in both the BIG EAST Conference and the Mid-Atlantic Region was quickly noticeable. Six BIG EAST teams ranked among the top 30 teams in the nation and the top six teams in the Mid-Atlantic Region all fell within the top 27 in the national poll.

Villanova is a part of both of these elite groups of teams, ranking No. 20 in the nation and No. 5 in its region to begin the season. The Wildcats joined Rutgers and West Virginia as BIG EAST teams among the top five squads in the Mid-Atlantic.

The 2007 campaign is one that holds great promise for Villanova, which returns 18 letterwinners from last season, including 10 of its 11 starters. In that group is reigning first team All-American goalkeeper Jillian Loyden (Vineland, N.J.) and returning All-Mid Atlantic Region players in seniors Nikki Mabery (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Melissa Murowski (Warren, N.J.) and sophomore Kelly Eagan (St. James, N.Y.).

By earning a spot in the preseason national poll, the Wildcats have now been nationally ranked during parts of six of the last seven seasons. Soccer Buzz has recognized Villanova in its preseason national ranking on just two other occasions. The Wildcats began the 2003 season ranked No. 23 and were No. 25 to start the 2004 campaign.

The other BIG EAST teams ranked in the preseason national poll included Notre Dame (No. 3), Connecticut (No. 10), Rutgers (No. 16), West Virginia (No. 18) and Marquette (No. 30). The Mid-Atlantic Teams in the top 30 were Virginia (No. 11), Penn State (No. 12), Rutgers, West Virginia and William & Mary (No. 27).

During the season national women's soccer polls are released each week by the NSCAA, Soccer Buzz and Soccer America. The NSCAA poll, voted on by coaches, is considered the "official" ranking for purposed used by the national committee. Villanova received votes in the preseason NSCAA top-25 poll and was No. 28 among all teams receiving votes.

The Wildcats open the season by hosting the Villanova Tournament the weekend of Labor Day. The team's first game is on Friday, August 31 against Lafayette at 1:30 p.m.

NOTES: The highest national ranking for Villanova in its run of success since 2001 was No. 14 during the 2002 season.